Pregnancy Forum - Back From My Doctor's Appt., have Rh factor

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Q: Back From My Doctor's Appt., have Rh factor

asked by: october05_mommy on December 7th, 2007

Experienced User

So the good news, baby is doing good (150-155 heart rate). & the bad news... I didn't get my ultrasound -so baby is still, just baby. But wait, more good news... I have one scheduled for next week. & even more good news, we will get 1-2 ultrasound(s) a month.. yay! Well, kinda... & that leads to the final bad news, I have the Rh factor. Basically, my blood type is A negative... & hubby is a positve -baby got daddy's blood- & my body is trying to fight my baby. The cause has something to do with my blood mixing with my first-born & her anti-bodies created this -somehow- to my understanding. The end result, is more than likely going to be -baby being born early, & having to have a blood transfusion in my uterus, or outside it (if it's not an emergency). In extreme cases, brain damage or death to the fetus, is possible. Right now, we're managing good - I mean, as far as we know. But my doctor does want my ultrasound done a.s.a.p. -& the tech. was already aware of my problem, before we were. I'm now classified as high-risk, & being anemic makes this problem, even worse. Not exactly how I planned my 1st appt. to go -but hopefully everything will be ok.

Replies(14)

Mabel

replied on December 7th, 2007

Moderator

Aren't you just going to get the rhogam shot?

Here, I found this information:

Quote:

If you're Rh-negative, there's a good chance that your blood is incompatible with your baby's blood, which is likely to be Rh-positive. You probably won't know this for sure until the baby is born, but in most cases you have to assume it, just to be safe.

Being "Rh-incompatible" isn't likely to harm you or your baby during this pregnancy, if it's your first. But if your baby's blood leaks into yours (as it can at certain times during pregnancy and at birth), your immune system will start to produce antibodies against this Rh-positive blood. If that happens, you'll become "Rh-sensitized" — and the next time you're pregnant with an Rh-positive baby, those antibodies may attack your baby's blood. Fortunately, you can avoid becoming Rh-sensitized by getting an injection of a drug called Rh immune globulin whenever there's a chance that your blood has been exposed to your baby's blood.

Bridget

replied on December 7th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

Re: Back From My Doctor's Appt., Have Rh Factor

october05_mommy wrote:

The end result, is more than likely going to be -baby being born early, & having to have a blood transfusion in my uterus, or outside it (if it's not an emergency).

wow, that sounds scary! i was also under the impression there was just a simple shot that you get once while you're pregnant and once after birth? i know a bunch of girls on here have been rh-.

good luck!

monkeygirl22

replied on December 7th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

That's what I thought too. My sister in law is Rh- and they automatically gave her the shots with all three of her pregnancies.

october05_mommy

replied on December 7th, 2007

Experienced User

Yes, my doctor is going to give me a shot of Rhogam along with an ultrasound, every month. I didn't think the Rh factor was such a big deal, but my dr. sure is making it seem like it. I think she's more worried in my case, b.c of me being severe anemic, on top of this - making it more likely, for baby & I to both need blood transfusions after birth. & the fact that this puts me at even higher risk for pre-term birth (which is already a problem). But who knows why she's being so cautious.. those are just some guesses of mine.

monkeygirl22

replied on December 8th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

Did you have the Rhogam shot with your first pregnancy, because if you did everything should go along without incidence.

michelle1981

replied on December 8th, 2007

Supporter

monkeygirl22 wrote:

Did you have the Rhogam shot with your first pregnancy, because if you did everything should go along without incidence.

I was thinking she didn't, and that's why they are more worried this time around.

october05_mommy

replied on December 8th, 2007

Experienced User

No, I didn't have the shot during my 1st pregnancy..

monkeygirl22

replied on December 8th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

I'm surprised they didn't give it to you. That's probably why they are making such a big deal of it.

Mabel

replied on December 8th, 2007

Moderator

It is with second pregnancies and later that the issue happens. First pregnancies are usually not affected by the Rh factor.

fairytale007

replied on December 8th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

I'm RH- as well, but I got the rhogam shot at 30 weeks this pregnancy and will get it again (most likely) when I have him tomorrow. I hope everything goes well for you and that your doctor is just taking extra caution to be on the safe side. Smile

Hollyberries

replied on December 8th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

I'm also RH- i had my shot at 28 weeks both pregnancies, and i'll have another one when i deliver this baby. And when i delivered Chyanne.

michelle1981

replied on December 8th, 2007

Supporter

Did your daughter carry on your husbands blood type?

october05_mommy

replied on December 8th, 2007

Experienced User

michelle1981 wrote:

Did your daughter carry on your husbands blood type?

That's what my doctor is thinking..

mominashoe

replied on December 8th, 2007

Moderator

I am very surprised that you were not checked for RH with the first baby.

What happens is that if you are a negative blood type, you must have a shot so that your body will not reject other fetuses because of blood type. You must have a shot after the baby is born as well.

If you are seeing the same doctors, you should check for malpractice.

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